Leg and ankle protector



June 24, 1930; I F, M RA 1,765,371

LEG AND ANKLE PROTECTOR Filed Oct. 6; 1928 3nventor Patented June 24, 1930 FRANcEsMf GRAU, WASHINGTON, NEBRAsKAN LEG AND ANKLE PROTECTOR Applicationfilecl October e, 1928. 's'v aino. 310,764.;

This invention includes an article of wear ing apparel, and-relates toa covering for the legs and ankles as a protection in cold or inclement weather, and has for its obljects to provide coverings or protectors which may be readily, and conveniently placed upon or removedjfrom the person.

I am aware that ankle covers and leggings have heretofore been .used for the above named purposes, but they have been secured to the legs, ankles or feet by means of numerous buttons or buckles and are not convenient or practical in use, and are of expensive construction. p The present invention includes such a construction that buttons, buckles, straps or the like may beavoided, and sucha construction'that either thin or heavy fabrics may be used and, in either instance, wrinkling 2 will be prevented, and the holders for secur ing the protectors upon the person will be entirely concealed from View.

A specific object of theinvention is to provide protectors of such construction that they may be manufactured at a very limited expense andv will present a smooth surface when worn upon the person.

With the foregoing objects in view and others to be mentioned hereinafter the inv' vention presents a new and useful construction, combination and arrangement of parts as described herein and claimed, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein,- I

Fig. l is a View of the device showing the protector applied to the leg of the wearer, and illustrating its use as an article of wearing apparel for women. Fig. 2 is a view of the same showing adaptability of the protector for men. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the protector shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective View illustrating the protector shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a stabilizing spring. Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the device. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a spring clasp.

Referring now to the drawing for a more particular description, it should be stated that the protector is adapted for the use of men, women and children, the only dif'-' ference required being size and proportion, the protector for use of women being shown" in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing, and the protectors for the use of men being shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Figs. 5,6, and 7 illustrate springs used in the manufacture of all the protectors. V p

I provide a flexible cover 8 shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing, havinga length sufe ficient 'to cover the ankle and calf of the legand to extend approximately to the knee, alsohaving such proportions for its lower end thatit will coverth'eupper part of'the shoe 9 ofthe wearer, and having'a sufficient width so that, when worn, it will adequately cover the calf and will be disposed in overlapped relation at the posterior part of the 1 p I: f:

lis best shown in Fig. 6' of the drawing, the cover consists of an outer fabricsheet or part 10, an inner fabric sheet or p'art'll" stitched at its edges to the edges of the part 10.v Numeral 12 indicates a stabilizing strip or spring." It is disposed between the fabric parts 10 and 11 and by means of'rows of stitches'lES at the sides and ends of said spring the latter is secured midway between the opposed edges 14 of the cover. 7 "As thus described itwil'l be'seen that the g1 spring .12 is disposed midway between-the edge-portions 14 of the cover-'8. Also'the rows of stitches 13 form a sheath forreceiving said spring 12, the rows of stitches being disposed at the ends as wellas at the'si'des of this spring. T

The spring 12 is constructed of very thin steel, and'it will be understood that it operates to prevent wrinkling of the cover 8.

Numeral 15 indicates a curved steel spring I best shown in Fig. 7 of thedrawingp I have shown rows ofstitches 16 to form sheaths transversely of the cover 8 for receivingv springs 15, said rows of stitches being of such arrangement that they are disposed at the ends as well as atthe sides of said springs 15 so that the latter are confined in their sheaths.

The curved springs 15 are constructed of extremely attenuated spring steel and their count of theaction.oiithesprings15,.the

terminal portions 14 of the cover will move to overlapped positions and ivill fitsnugly upon the leg and ankle, and, as is obvious, the cover or protectormay be readily removed. 7

In Figs. Qandyl of they drawing, which illustrates. the cover or protector for use of men the, construction is similar to that.

already described. This cover or protector 8 is provided at its middle with .a stab-iliz ing spring 12Y'held in position by rows of. stitches 13, the same'as already described. Also the cover consists of, outer and inner sheets or parts .10 and 11 as described and.

the same kind ofattenuated, curved springs 15 are. used and are secured by rows oi stitches 16 asof the protectorshown in Figs. 2 and l as compared with the protector shown in Figsv 1 and?) beingone ofproportion. The protector for-use ofmen has a: lesser length and has a sufiicient-width tov permit the legs of the trousers 18 at their ends to be received.

It will heap-preciated that thejprotectors will, be very useful. They may bequickly applied ;to .the legs and. ankles, may bereadg ily removedand position while in usef bychildren; as well as adults. They, of

course, may be-produced in suitable colors, 1

straps orbuckles are.

and.sin e Q ui n i used. -theii: appearance.willfnot be obiectionable.

Vhile l have- -shown: three curved spr ings 15. for each protector a lesser orgreater numbermay,beused if desired,

ltgwill be undenstoed that usedkas, leggings for overshoeS, their lower ends being suitably attached to the oyershoes (not shown) andsuch; a .cjo structio n t is considered, would ,bewithin the, scopeof the invention .forthe, reason that no changes would be, requlredsofar as the leg, and ankle protectors are concerned.v

Since. the springs are enclosed in. thepover by; means of. the .rows of stitches-,any end, thrust of. the springs will be prevented. The spring,12 will be, disposed. at the front .of; thecover to maintain-the cover, in a stretched,

condition, and; since. wrinkling will be I pre,

vented the spring 12 operatesto maintain the springs-15 in uniformly spaced -,rela-.- tion; v

described, the only a difference.

will ,be securely held in, They may be worn he g n ankle protectors describedyherein could be I claim as my invention,-

A leg and ankle protector, comprising a pair of fabric sheets stitched together at their marginal edge portions a space between the sheets, a flat vertical spring disposed in said space and located midway between the lateral edges of the sheets and extending substantially throughout the length of the sheets, and a plurality of horizontal cross springs curved to the general-configuration oii the leg and ankle disposed at spaced intervalsthroughout the length of :the. vertical spring and interposed between said sheets, said horizontal springs adapted to overlap at their free ends at a point diametrically opposite the vertical spring, and lines of stitching securing'said sheets together and extending alongthe opposite edge and endportions of said springs to provide vindividual pockets for the springsfor maintaining the sameagainstedgewise and longitudinal displacement between thesheets, said lines of stitching reinforcingthe sheet structureand maintaining the sheets. from separating,

- In testimony whereof, I have ai'lixed my.

signature. I I a p FRANCES MI GRAB.

and providing 7 

